So he wrapped himself in his cloak, covered his head with his hat,
and put his boots on, and he went ahead so quickly that the Wind
could hardly keep step with him. As they drew near to the castle,
the Wind said: "Here it is," and disappeared in a whirl.
The other bridegroom had already arrived, and was at the wedding
feast. John passed through the castle, and came to the table at which
they were dining. Nobody could see him. He remained standing near the
bride, and whenever she lifted the food to her mouth, he ate it before
it could reach her mouth, so that the spoon reached her mouth empty.
After the banquet she said: "My plates were well filled, and yet it
is as though I had been eating nothing at all. Who is it that has
eaten my food? My glass was full too. I have not drunk, and yet it
is empty. Who has drunk my wine?"
Then she went to the kitchen, and John followed close at her
heels. When she was alone he revealed himself. He took his hat off,
and she knew him. She was greatly rejoiced at this, and ran to the
room and said:
"Gentlemen, I would like to ask you a question. I had a golden key
and I lost it. So I had a silver key made for me, and, now that it is
made, I have found the golden key. Would you be so kind as to advise
me which of them I ought to keep?"